Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for a back disability. However, there is no evidence of a current left bicep disability, so the claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding his right hip disorder, left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims are not yet decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video-conference hearing. The claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not currently addressed.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the etiology of the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, as well as to determine if service connection can be granted for these conditions. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder. The VA has not attempted to obtain relevant medical records from the Mayo Clinic and Carlisi Chiropractic Center, which may contain evidence pertinent to his claim. As such, the case must be remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service connected as a direct result of an in-service injury, and his bilateral knee disability is also service connected. However, there is no evidence to support the claim for a bilateral upper extremity disability.

The Board found no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's neck disorder or headaches, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was denied. However, she received a separate 20 percent rating for limitation of motion due to left shoulder pain from October 2, 2013, to March 10, 2015.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right clavicle fracture with rotator cuff tendonitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of DDD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder traumatic arthritis, and a cervical spine condition are related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a 30 percent evaluation, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that her headaches meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 due to their characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over several months.

The Board has determined that the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for rating the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disability, as well as issues related to his cervical spine disability and TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of periods of active service prior to November 2007 and a need for additional examinations to determine if current low back, neck, and knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder. The Veteran's DJD is found to be at least as likely as not attributable to his active duty military service.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if any service-connected conditions contributed to his cause of death, including exposure to herbicides and use of prescribed medications.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding service treatment records and an addendum opinion concerning the nature and etiology of his neck disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for erectile dysfunction and cervical spine disorder, with secondary to a service-connected left wrist causalgia.

The Veteran's cervical spine radiculopathy of the upper extremities was manifested by mild incomplete paralysis from August 9, 2013. The Board has granted a separate 40 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for her left knee disabilities and cervical spine disability were denied by the RO in September 2010. The current ratings for these conditions remain unchanged.,No new evidence was presented to reopen the service connection claim, as it is decided on a direct basis.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is reasonably shown to have resulted from his exposure to noise trauma in service. The Board finds that it is reasonably shown that the Veteran's spine disability was incurred in service.